Combination wall bracket and dispensing package



June 29, 1965 L, sum.

comammxon WALL BRACKET AND msmusme PACKAGE Filed Nov. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LORNE R. STANLEY ATTORN EYS 3,191,805 (zomazrumzcm WALL BRACKET-AND DISPENSING PACKAGE I Filed Nov. 30, 1962 June 29, 1965 L. R. STANLEY v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /2O m r m l wl 1 [III I In] "I m v: E L

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ATTORN United States Patent 3,191,805 CGMBINATION WALL BRACKET AND DISPENSING PACKAGE Lorne R. Stanley, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to Safe- T-lacific Company, Redwood City, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 241,405 5 Claims. (Cl. 221-283) This invention relates generally to wall mounted dispensing devices, and more particularly to a combination device of this character including a wall bracket or a mounting means of simplified construction.

Dispensing devices for nested upright receptacles, such as ice cream cones, paper cups, and the like, are commonly employed in connection with a wall bracket or mounting means to hold the container for the receptacles in appropriate upright position. Base plates are generally provided for attachment to the wall or supporting surface, and the container or dispensing mechanism for the container is mounted upon the base plate. While devices of this type have been widely sold and used, they have not been satisfactory for general use, for example in the home. For one thing, the mounting means are relatively heavy and require screws, nails, or like fastening means of appropriate strength and size. They are also troublesome to mount and dismount from the wall. In addition, they are frequently of a size and cost which makes them impractical or undesirable for use in the kitchen or other suitable area within the home.

The present invention is directed to what now seems a simple solution to the above and additional problems, as will appear, and has as a principal object the provision of a combination dispensing package and wall bracket for nested upright articles, which is extremely simple in construction, easily assembled and mounted, and relatively inexpensive.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination wall bracket and dispensing package of the above type which is adapted to protectively support a large 3,191,805 Patented June 29, 1965 ice unit in assembled position ready to receive a dispensing container.

Broadly, the present invention is directed to the combination of an elongated dispensing container of generally polygonal cross section, and a resilient, substantially U-shaped mounting bracket having polygonally apertured flexible arms adapted to receive and support the container in upright position. The container is preferably of a selfdispensing type wherein an end of the container is provided with means to dispense packed articles, one-by-one, as required. As will appear, adhesive or other suitable attachment means are provided upon a central portion of the bracket, permitting the device to be mounted in supporting position almost instantaneously.

In a mounted position upon a wall, the aperture/d arms of the U-shaped bracket extend in more or less parallel relation and frictionally engage and support the sides of the container. More specifically, the arms of the bracket tend to pivot away from one another due to natural resiliency of the bracket material so that the exterior corners of the openings wedge or bite into the external surfaces of the container, holding the container firmly within the open ings. During subsequent use, the force of pulling the dispensed units from the package, one-by-one, serves to increase this wedging action, causing the container to be more firmly held within the bracket.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 11 represents a selfdispensing package which, for purposes of illustration, is of the type disclosed in copending application, Serial No. 184,154, filed April 2, 1962. As particularly illustrated in FIGURE 1, such container is provided with a pleated closure 12 at either end. The closure 12 is formed of a number of nested articles in an upright dispensing position upon a wall surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination device of such character which can be mounted almost immediately upon a wall surface, and which makes possible a simplified mounting or demounting of the article dispensing container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination device of such character which can be manipulated to permit a different positioning of the dispensing container during use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a wall bracket construction for use with a self-dispensing container, which is outstandingly simple in construction, easily manufactured, and very low in cost.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and from the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a View in perspective of a combination wall bracket and dispensing container embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detail view along the line 22 of FIG- URE 1, showing a preferred means for mounting the combination device upon a wall surface;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a disassembled wall bracket unit, according to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a view in side elevation of the unit shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the as sembly of the wall bracket unit of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a like view showing the .wall bracket smooth surface;

plurality of overlapping flaps or tabs 14 which function in the open position to resiliently grasp and hold the lowermost article in the stack at points of contact established by the tabs 14. 4 When, in a use of the device, the lowermost article is grasped and pulled downwardly to withdraw it from the container, the tabs 14 are spread apart, permittingthe article to pass, after which the tabs spring inward to engage and intercept the succeeding article. In this way the articles are dispensed, one after the other, in successive fashion.

It will be understood that the container 10 can be constructed of conventional material, such as paperboard, or other heavy paper suitably sized and calendered to a Alternatively, it can be constructed of foil coated paper, plastic, or other suitable material. In any event, the weight and thickness of the material should be adequate to provide the right amount of resiliency for dispensing such items as ice cream cones, paper cups, or

the like.

It is a feature of the invention that the container is supported in upright position by a U-shaped mounting bracket 20 of extremely simple construction. Referring to FIGURE 3, the bracket is seen to comprise (in demounted position) a simple planar member subdivided by transverse score lines 22 into two extending arms 24. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves or score lines 22 subtend at an angle of approximately to facilitate the folding of the device 21) into the desired U-shape. As particularly illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, the arms 24 of the bracket are suitably provided with enlarged polygonal openings or apertures 28 which generally correspond to the cross section of the container 10. The finger tabs 36 at the ends of these arms facilitate the manipulation ofthe bracket into mounting position, as will be explained. I

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate the folding of the bracket about the score lines 22 to place the arms 24in position to receive the dispensing container 14 In the moun ing position, shown in FIGURE 6, the arms are arranged in substantially parallel relation with respect to one another, thus facilitating insertion of the container through the aligned apertures 28.

In general, it has been found that the bracket 20 can be simply and easily fabricated-from a suitable plastic material in a simple molding operation. Low cost thermosetting or thermoplastic res-ins are preferred, for example, phenolic, alkyd, and polyester resins (thermosetting), and polyethylene, acrylate, vinyl, and styrene resins (thermoplastic). The essential requirement is that the material employed be easily molded, relatively strong and flexible, and generally adaptable to household use. It should also have a relatively high modulous elasticity and good structural strength to insure bending about the score lines 22 without cracking or breaking.

As best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4, attachment means 40 are provided on the central portion 26 of the bracket to permit the bracket to be suitably mounted upon a wall or other supporting surface 42. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the attachment means 40 com prises a resilient, pressure-sensitive adhesive strip 44 which prior to assembly may be covered or protected by a strip of paper or other suitable material 46. Adhesive strips of this type are well known in the trade and make use of a resilient strip of conformable plastic foam coated and impregnated on both sides with a normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example as particularly described in US. Patent No. 2,921,916, adapted to adhere to substances upon appropriate application of pressure. Once the bracket 20 has been folded into the position shown in FIGURE 6, the outer protective strip 46 can be removed and the bracket pressed against the wall surface to cause adherence of the adhesive strip and bracket in a supporting position.

If desired, provision can be made for supplementary fastening means such as wood screws and the like. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 3, holes 48 for this purpose can be provided in the central portion 26 of the bracket. In the device illustrated, the central portion 26 is also provided with an intermediate score line or groove 50, which serves to accommodate the interior corner of the container 19 and thereby provide a close, wall-hugging support for the combination device.

Following attachment of the bracket 20 to the wall surface, the arms 24 are in position to receive a container 10 through the openings 28. During this operation, the tabs 30 can be manipulated between the fingers to insure alignment of the openings, and ready passage of the con tainer through the openings to a desired position. Upon releasing the tabs, the natural resiliency of the bracket material causes the arms 24 to spring apart and to wedge or bite into the exterior wall surfaces of the container. This relationship is shown in somewhat exaggerated form in FIGURE 2 by the outermost dotted line positions of the arms 24. As will be apparent from this view, the outermost corners of the inner periphery of the openings 28 engage the container at points 52 extending about the carton, to securely wedge the container in a desired vertical position. Thus positioned, the only way to release the container from the bracket is by re-alignment of the polygonal openings 28 through use of the tabs 30. Otherwise, attempts to pull the container from the bracket will only result in causing the container to become more firmly wedged within the openings 28.

To use the combination device, the lower end closure 12 is opened by pulling downward on one of the locking tabs 14, causing the stacked articles 60 to feed by gravity through the bottom opening. This movement is resisted, however, by the resiliency of the tabs, so that the stack assumes the position generally illustrated in FIGURE 1. The articles can now be dispensed one after another through the bottom of the container, against the pressure of the tabs.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the combination between an elongated dispensing container of polygonal cross section and the U-shaped bracket makes possible an unusually convenient mounting and support of a self-dispensing container. The bracket itself is adaptable to mounting on any vertical wall surface, as in the kitchen, office, work shop, etc., almost immediately, and with a minimum of effort. One installed, the container is at all times held in rigid wedged relationship by the flexible arms 24 but without placing undue stress upon either the mounting bracket or the wall during use.

The invention also makes possible the simple easy mounting of dispensing packages for use without the use of separate mounting plates, or heavy permanent attachment means. The mounting brackets themselves can also be mass produced at relatively low cost and packaged in flat, stacked relationship for ready shipment to the point of sale. Moreover, the brackets are so simple in construction and inexpensive to produce, that they can be made readily available for use in a plurality of locations, and just as easily removed when their usefulness has ended. These and other advantages make the mounting bracket and combination dispensing container of the invention particularly useful for the purpose stated.

Those skilled in the art of this invention will also rec-.

'ognize that many changes in construction in widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, although the illustrated embodiment of the invention relates to a dispensing package of hexagonal cross section, devices employing a greater or smaller number of sides can be employed without substantial variance from the principles of the invention. Thus, the package 10 might be triangular, square or even octagonal in cross section without in any way detracting from the advantages herein described. In like fashion, the packages 10 could be provided with varying types of dispensing means, including detachable means, without substantial change in the invention. It should be understood therefore that the disclosures and description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

1. A combination wall bracket and dispensing package for ice cream cones, cups and similar articles, comprising, an elongated container of generally polygonal crosssection, a plurality of articles stored in nested relation within the container, dispensing means at one end of said container, at cooperating wall bracket supporting said container in upright position, said wall bracket comprising a pair of extending arms integrally attached to a central bracket portion by scored and bent portions of reduced thickness whereby said bracket assumes a substantially U-shaped configuration, each of said arms being provided with a polygonal opening corresponding in shape and dimension to the polygonal cross-section of said container so as to receive said container, said arms being urged apart and into frictional supporting relationship with said container by a natural resistance to bending of the material of the wall bracket, and attachment means secured to the central portion of said Wall bracket whereby the container can be supported in upright dispensing position upon a wall surface.

2. A combination device as in claim 1 wherein said wall bracket is constructed of a resilient plastic material bent into the U-shaped configuration about transverse score lines.

3. A combination device as in claim 2 wherein the arms of said wall bracket are provided with finger tabs, whereby the arms can be pivoted about said transverse score lines to positions of alignment of said polygonal apertures with the polygonal cross-section of said container.

4. A combination device as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means secured to the central bracket portion comprises a resilient adhesive strip, and a pull strip of nonadhesive mate-rial overlaying said adhesive strip.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a wall bracket formed of molded plastic material, said wall bracket comprising a substantially planar central bracket portion having integrally attached thereto a pair of extending arms, said extending arms being attached to the central bracket portion by scored and bent portions of reduced thickness, said wall bracket assuming a substantially U-shaped configuration wherein said arms are urged apart by a natural resistance to bending of the molded plastic material, said central bracket portion being provided with an adhesive strip on a side opposite said extending arms, each of said extending arms being substantially planar and being provided with a polygonal opening adapted to frictionally receive a dispensing package of cross section corresponding to said opening, said extending arms being pivota-lly movable about said scored and bent portions of reduced thickness to permit alignment of said openings with one another to receive a dispensing package and thereafter to frictionally engage the package to hold the same against movement relative to the bracket during dispensing Operations.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/07 Marcum.

11/12 Luellen 221-63 8/21 Stephens 221-283 8/24 Shay.

6/27 Jewell.

12/ 37 Fischer.

12/43 Buttery 22l-63 1/44 Vineburgh 22163 2/44 Engert.

9/52 Thein 24-257 X 12/62 Easton et a1. 221-45 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/39 Great Britain.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

20 KENNETH N. LEIMER, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION WALL BRACKET AND DISPENSING PACKAGE FOR ICE CREAM CONES, CUPS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED CONTAINER OF GENERALLY POLYGONAL CROSSSECTION, A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES STORED IN NESTED RELATION WITHIN THE CONTAINER, DISPENSING MEANS AT ONE END OF SAID CONTAINER, A COOPERATING WALL BRACKET SUPPORTING SAID CONTAINER IN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID WALL BRACKET COMPRISING A PAIR OF EXTENDING ARMS INTEGRALLY ATTACHED TO A CENTRAL BRACKET PORTION BY SCORED AND BENT PORTIONS OF REDUCED THICKNESS WHEREBY SAID BRACKET ASSUMES A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION, EACH OF SAID ARMS BEING PROVIDED WITH A POLYGONAL OPENING CORRESPONDING IN SHAPE AND DIMENSION TO THE POLYGONAL CROSS-SECTION OF SAID CONTAINER SO AS TO RECEIVE SAID CONTAINER, SAID ARMS BEING URGED APART AND INTO FRICTIONAL SUPPORTING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID CONTAINER BY A NATURAL RESISTANCE TO BENDING OF THE MATERIAL OF THE WALL BRACKET, AND ATTACHMENT MEANS SECURED TO THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID WALL BRACKET WHEREBY THE CONTAINER CAN BE SUPPORTED IN UPRIGHT DISPENSING POSITION UPON A WALL SURFACE. 